IMDb user comments for
A Christmas Carol (1999) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

Filter:

Best Chronological Prolific Authors Loved It Hated It Hide Spoilers:

Page 1 of 8:

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Index

79 comments in total

---

23 out of 26 people found the following comment useful :-
Instant classic!, 6 December 1999

Author: Costu-2 from Doylestown, PA

This is the timeless Dickens story...splendidly told! The cast is uniformly excellent, even down to the smaller roles that may only offer an actor a scene or two. But it is Patrick Stewart's show ALL THE WAY! Not only does he dominate every scene he is in by his sheer presence, but his interpretation of the character of Ebenezer Scrooge lends depth and believability to the old miser and his complete transformation, where others have veered toward caricature. The music, the costumes, the sets -- all are of first quality. Highly recommended!

---

20 out of 21 people found the following comment useful :-
Impressive version but darker, with a meaner Scrooge, 6 April 2006

Author: roghache from Canada

We are great buffs of A Christmas Carol in our household, and watch almost every version faithfully each Christmas, including the old 1938 Reginald Owen and the 1984 George C. Scott. Our overall favourite is the 1951 black and white tale starring Alastair Sim, because for me, Sim IS Ebeneezer Scrooge, his conversion the most believable. However, this modern version has its own unique merits and is a more than satisfying & watchable adaptation. (See my comments on the other films also, if interested)

Patrick Stewart, once you get past his not being Captain Jean Luc Picard (difficult for us as Star Trek fans), makes a pretty convincing Ebeneezer Scrooge and definitely the meanest one of the cinematic world. This miser is just an incredibly nasty old businessman; personally, I'd be quite afraid to carol outside HIS office window!

The tale begins uniquely, not with the classic rendering of 'Old Marley was dead to begin with', but with Marley's actual funeral as attended by his surviving business partner, the only movie version to detail this event. However, the rest of the film is quite conventionally done. Wonderful modern special effects of course, with Marley's ghost (a quiet but grim & tortured creature here) and so forth. The spirits are well captured, and the Spirit of Christmas Present is even (unlike other versions) shown to age, in keeping with the novel, as his twelve days of Christmas progress toward Twelfth Night.

This adaptation has my absolute favorite depiction of Scrooge's nephew, Fred. His hearty entry into his miserly uncle's counting house is absolutely priceless, with his benevolent, booming, 'A Merry Christmas, Uncle. God save you!' I adore Fred in this tale. I also love the little added touch at Fred's Christmas dinner party where the punch is heated with a hot poker. Magnificent! On the other hand, while Mr. Fezziwig is indeed intended to be plump and jolly, I found the positively fat & rather crude Fezziwigs (both Mr. & Mrs.) a tad overdone.

Scrooge's sister, Fan, is younger than him here, as in the novel. Most other versions have her older, and fabricate Scrooge's mother death in childbirth when he was born. However, Fan is barefoot in this movie when she comes to her brother's boarding school to retrieve him. How probable would that be in wintertime?

This movie has by a mile the best depiction of the Cratchit's poverty. Frankly, in some versions, the Cratchits appear so downright prosperous that one half expects a servant or two to appear and begin assisting Mrs. Cratchit with the goose & pudding. These Cratchits are literally poor as church mice, just as Dickens intended them to be. Bob appears bone weary, haggard, and long-suffering, Mrs. Cratchit homespun but cheerful as she goes about her endless chores, and Tiny Tim of course a very endearing little waif. I did, however, have strong objections to the young Cratchits banging on the dinner table with their cutlery. Yes, they were eager for goose, but would never have dreamed of being so rude. (In the novel, they stuff spoons in their mouths so they won't shriek for goose!)

If anything, this version is generally the most faithful to Dickens' novel. For example, it's the adaptation which best depicts Christmas Present's tale, where the miners, mariners at sea, and prison inmates are all celebrating Christmas as best they can. Especially dramatic is the scene in which a prisoner begins playing The First Noel on his recorder and the other inmates chime in one by one with their voices. You sense the spirit of Christmas in their midst. Also, this is the only version I've seen in which the repentant Scrooge attends church on Christmas morning before his appearance at the nephew's house for dinner. And at his office next morning, in his little speech to the befuddled Bob, Scrooge addresses the hot Christmas drink in question by its proper name, bishop, as per the novel.

Overall, this modern movie is excellent, but doesn't come across quite as a heartwarming tale. Maybe more realistic, but somehow it seems a wee bit darker than the others.

---

16 out of 19 people found the following comment useful :-
Brilliant performance by Patrick Stuart, 7 December 1999

Author: cjh10769 from USA

Patrick Stuart is indisputably a great actor, complemented by an excellent cast of other fine actors. This is a warm, humanized, three-dimensional portrait of Ebenezer Scrooge as a whole man. We can believe that a neglected, hurt child could grow up to become a hesitant lover and finally an embittered miser. Stuart's portrayal of Scrooge's growing regret for his life's missed opportunities is wonderfully done, and the final redemption scene is more than satisfying. This is a delightful Christmas offering.

---

12 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :-
Faithful to Dickens, Stewart perfect, 5 November 2004
Author: Aaron Prince from Springfield MO

The sad thing about this adaptation is simply that audiences have expected less reserved acting and brighter and cheerier moods. However, I've read the book many times, and although I like all versions, I think this is probably the 2nd best I've seen. (I love the musical Scrooge with Albert Finney. It's delightful, if not entirely British in tone.) Scrooge was a Victorian man, which means the definition of his character would be one of reservation and stiffness. Patrick Stewart is quite believable as a Victorian British gentleman miser.

I enjoyed immensely the understated end, where Scrooge changes much for the better, yet at the same time maintains the appearance of a Victorian gentleman. The scene in which Scrooge haltingly enters his nephews house is very powerful and poignant imo.

Admittedly, the supporting cast is forgettable, but that's to be expected. This is Scrooge's story and belongs to no one else. What I think turns people off for this version is the stiffness portrayed by Scrooge and the general "oppressive" atmosphere of the movie. But it is quite good, and Stewart's portrayal of the Victorian Scrooge is perfect.

Although, I think that from our own perspective, Alastair Sim's portrayal will remain the one that stays forever. This movie suffers most from a low TV budget which often limits the camera work along with special effects. But overall, this is one of the best versions out there.

---

6 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
Wonderfully done, 16 December 2001

Author: cymbols from West Virginia, US

Patrick Stewart brings Ebenezer Scrooge to life in this wonderful production. As he moves from the embittered character which we are first presented with, through the intense emotions of a man reformed by the Christmas spirit, we are both astounded and captivated by the depth of Scrooge's character. A pleasure to watch.

---

5 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
The Best Version I've Ever Seen, 5 July 2002

Author: rwduke from San Diego

Patrick Stewart and the supporting cast were absolutely incredible. I just wish I could view this movie in a widescreen format. It was absolutely gorgeous to look at. The Ghost of Christmas Past was my favorite segment of the movie. It was enchanting. I give this movie a very high recommendation.

---

5 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
A wonderful telling of an old classic, 17 December 1999

Author: BTM-2 from Kent, WA USA

Patrick Stewart demonstrates once again his versatility on screen in this telling of Charles Dickens' classic story. Though most of us(if not all of us) have seen other adaptations in the past or read the story,and know already what to expect,Stewart manages to capture pure magic with his stunningly awesome portrayal of main character Ebenezer Scrooge,and it is definitely worth a look. Special effects add a nice little touch,but it is Stewart's interaction with the 'ghosts' and characters Bob Cratchit among others that really steal the show. A highly recommended film that nobody should miss.....especially during Christmas time!

***1/2 out of ****

---

11 out of 18 people found the following comment useful :-
Leaves One a Little Dispirited, 8 December 1999

Author: Hitchcoc from United States

I have to express a bit of disappointment in the new Patrick Stewart version of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." While the story holds up fairly well, I got the feeling Stewart (who is one of my favorite personalities and actors) was trying too hard to come up with a different kind of Scrooge--one that would put his signature on the role. In the process, he looks very uncomfortable. His words seem strained and his interaction with the other characters, unnatural.

For one thing, he is so fit, so athletic looking. I don't necessarily need a doddering old Scrooge, but he should have some vulnerability to him. His emotions are too controlled--he exposes no melancholy--he doesn't have the sad, pleading eyes of Alastair Sim. I guess I never really felt sympathy for him, especially in the scenes where he sees his sister and his one time love. Somehow the Cratchett family also suffers a lack of depth. Tiny Tim's death doesn't have the usual impact. The scenes after Scrooge's death are much less horrifying than in other movies. I generally choke up at the scene where Scrooge shows up at his nephew's house and ask for forgiveness. I didn't this time. All in all, if you have a choice, go with Sim or George C. Scott. The movie is nice to look at but needs more soul. Even a bit of nastiness would have helped.

---

4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :-
Bah! this isn't humbug! (but a very nice story)., 25 December 2001

Author: KnatLouie (jeghader@hotmail.com) from Copenhagen, Denmark

Here is another great adaption of Dickens' great Christmas story! My mood always get a little better when I watch or read this story...especially when it is Christmas! Patrick Stewart is certainly one of my favorite actors (Star Trek was one of my favorite TV-shows when I was younger), and Richard E. Grant (who also appeared in the film "Warlock") plays a very sympathetic role in this story as the book-keeper Cratchit. I think that they fit very nicely into their roles, and the supporting cast also does a fine job. Little Tim is very sweet, and you just hope that he is going to survive! They did a good job at showing Scrooge's past and telling the story of how he became such a bitter old man, and how the ghosts try to persuade him into enjoying the remaining years of his life instead of being cruel and grumpy all the time.

I hope you enjoy this movie as much as I did, and a very merry Christmas to all!

---

4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :-
Another amazing performance by an amazing actor, 13 December 1999

Author: princebe from Charlotte, North Carolina

Bravo to TNT pictures for putting together two things that were made for each other; the role of Ebenezer Scrooge and the acting of Patrick Stewart. I could think of no other current actor who could approach Stewarts ability to grasp this complex role and after viewing the film I am convinced; Stewart is a genius.

---

---

Page 1 of 8:

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Add another comment

---

Related Links

Plot summary	Amazon.com summary	Ratings
Awards	External reviews	Official site
Plot keywords	Main details	Your user comments
Your vote history